urgent update: Trump intended to convene an unexpected summit with Zelensky and Putin according to live reports - Live Coverage: Trump to Convene Immediate Discussion with Zelensky and Putin at Alaska Summit
In a significant diplomatic move, US President Donald Trump and Russian President Vladimir Putin held a trilateral meeting in Anchorage, Alaska, on August 15, 2025. The discussion, which lasted for several hours, focused primarily on the ongoing conflict in Ukraine [1]. However, the Ukrainian President, Volodymyr Zelensky, was conspicuously absent from the summit.
The absence of Ukraine's leader has raised concerns that Putin may be seeking to pressure Ukraine into concessions through direct talks with Trump. This could potentially marginalise Kyiv's role and make Trump a broker leaning towards Russian terms [2].
Analysts warn that Putin's strategy could involve isolating Ukraine diplomatically by using economic incentives directly with the US and Europe to undermine their support for Kyiv. Simultaneously, Putin continues attacks on Ukrainian cities to strengthen his bargaining position [2].
The complex dynamic of the US engaging in peace talks with Russia without Ukraine's direct involvement raises questions about the legitimacy and execution of any peace plan proposed. After all, Ukraine remains the primary party affected by the conflict and insists on no territorial concessions [2][3].
Russian officials, including Foreign Minister Lavrov, have explicitly denied any meeting between Putin and Zelensky or any plans for such a meeting [3].
In summary, the latest developments show that the Trump-Putin summit in Alaska addressed the Ukraine conflict, but with Zelensky not engaged directly. This limits the prospects for a comprehensive peace agreement and risks sidelining Ukraine's interests, potentially complicating peace prospects [1][2][3].
- The world's top news headlines today are focusing on the war-and-conflicts section, with the Alaska summit between Donald Trump and Vladimir Putin raising concerns about Putin possibly seeking to pressure Ukraine into concessions through direct talks with Trump, potentially marginalizing Kyiv's role.
- As the political landscape continues to evolve, the absence of Ukraine's leader and the lack of direct talks between Putin and Zelensky have been a significant point of discussion in general-news discussions, with many questioning the legitimacy and execution of any potential peace plan.
